Key container



Oct. 10,1950 LONGAN 2,525,748

KEY CONTAINER m Filed July 10, 1948 INVEN TOR.

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I IIIIIILIIVII Patented Oct. 10, 1950 KEY CONTAINER Earl K. Longan, Wichita Falls, Tex.; Lula C. Lcngan administratrix of said Earl K. Longan,

deceased Application July 10, 1948, Serial No. 38,005

6 Claims.

Thi invention relates to improvements in key containers, and more particularly to key containers from which each key may be removed individually, used and replaced with one continuous normal movement of the hand.

Key cases that have been in general use heretofore have required unfastening, unfolding, key selection, its use with the other keys dangling, refolding and refastening, before the case can be returned to its carrying space, usually in a pocket or hand bag. Such containers are usually bulky and cumbersome and quickly distort the shape of, or wear out the pocket, hand bag or the like in which the must be carried. With the use of such containers it has been diiiicult to find the particular key desired, time-consuming to select and use it, and unhandy and tedious to replace, refold and refasten the container.

An object of this invention is to provide a key container which renders each key individually and readily obtainable, and in which the case secures the keys without folders, snaps, hooks or other commonly used fastening devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key container that will accommodate a multiplicity of keys in a minimum amount of space, in such manner that there will be no jingling or rubbing together of the keys, but the keys are so positioned that they can be readily removed, used and returned to the case, all with a minimum of time and eifort and with a natural, dextrous movement of the hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key container that is light in weight, and smooth of exterior.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a key container in which the keys contained therein may be readily identified while therein, and which may be removed individually from the case for independent use simultaneously.

The present container is light in weight, comparatively small in size with respect to the number of keys it accommodates, and entirely smooth as to exterior, so that no undue wear is caused on the pocket or hand bag. The present device is easy to use and to manufacture, and the keys may be readily identified.

With these objects in mind and others that will manifest themselves as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which;

Fig. l is a perspective view of the key container in carrying position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, with parts removed and parts in various positions to illustrate the flexibility of use;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the container taken on the line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View through the container taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail view of the cap.

With more detailed reference to the drawings, the numeral l designates generally the body of the key container, which is made, preferably, of transparent plastic, but any suitable material may be used. It i to be noted that the exterior of the body is entirely smooth and free of obstructions, protrusions, roughness, or anything that would cause undue wear on the pocket or handbag. The body I is shown as relatively flat,

thin and rectangular.

The body I has apertures 2, in the form illustrated, which apertures are on alternate planes for abutting sides at an angle with respect to each other, but in the same plane they are co-extensive with each other on opposite sides. tures are so positioned as to receive layers of keys K in superposed relation, and keys in the same layer in overlapping relation. Each aperture extends through the body I from edge to edge.

The invention is not restricted to any specific number of apertures or to any specific number of layers of key chambers, as it is obvious that the case may be made to accommodate two or four keys just as readily as a greater number.

Each of the apertures 2 forms key receiving chambers 3, each of which chambers is adapted to receive one key. The key chambers 3 are separated within each aperture 2 of the case by an internal rib or division plate 4, which rib or plate does not extend to the sides of the case at either extremity, but are so positioned as to form guide ways to guide the keys K into their respective chambers and to keep the key shanks from COIL- tacting each other While they are in the case. The guide rib is so positioned, as shown, to accommodate keys of varying lengths.

The body I of the key case has partitions 2 between the keys K and thechambers, so as to separate the pairs of keys.

Each of the apertures 2 is provided with a cap 5, formed of a suitable size and shape so as to complete the exterior contour of the case and to close the outer end of the aperture, and the por' tion thereof to be grasped by the hand may be roughened or slightly grooved so it may be frictionally engaged by the fingers.

Each cap 5 has a slot 6, which slot is adapted to receive the head of the key, and holes l-l' therethrough are adapted to receive a threaded pin which passes therethrough and through the hole in the key so as to retain the key in position These aperin the cap. The key is secured in position in the cap slot ti in such manner that it will be positioned at an angle with respect to the cap and to the key-receiving chamber 3. In this manner, keys in the same relative position on opposite sides of the case have the shanks thereof in position to be overlapped in the same plane, as is best i1- lustrated in Fig. 3.

The threaded pin is so arranged that no head or other protrusion extends beyond the exterior contour of the cap.

The cap 5 has protruding lips 3, which lips are in-turned to grasp the sides of the key yieldably and frictionally and serve to hold the key from rattling and to hold the cap in the aperture of the case by friction. Dnly sufiicient friction is necessary to hold the cap in place and keep the keys snugly in the case, and for this purpose only a small amount of resiliency is required for the lips fl bearing; frictionally and yieldably both against the key and against the sides of the aperture. 7

It is to be appreciated that a light, convenient, inexpensive and attractive key case results, which can-be formedin multiple layers or cells to accommodate a desired number of keys. The form illustrated will accommodate eight keys, which is suflicient for most needs, but it is to be understood that the'sarne structure applies to cases of either greater or less capacity.

The device preferably, but not necessarily, is made of transparent plastic, and if the keys cannot be identified readily by sight or as to their position within the case, they may be marked with any desired indicia on the cap; The key may be removed from the case, used, and returned to the case by the natural, normal movement of one hand, and the key is available from the outside of. the case. The case is relatively small as compared with other cases of the same carrying capacity.

I claim:

1. In a key container, a body having apertures therein, each of which apertures is adapted to receive a key, a cap for each aperture, the outer portion of which is adapted to form an exterior portionof said container, means for retaining the head or a key in said cap, and means on said cap adapted to engage said body within said aperture for frictionally securing said cap in said aperture.

2. In a key: container, a body having partitions therethroughto form key receiving chambers, each chamber having a key receiving aperture at each end thereof, a cap for each chamber the outer portion of which is adapted to form an exterior portion of said container, means for retaining the head or a key in said cap, and means on said cap adapted to engage said body inwardly of said chamber for fricticnally securing said cap in said aperture.

3. In a key container, a body having partitions therein forming chambers and partitions to divide said chambers, the exterior of said container having apertures therein forming openings to said chambers, each chamber having diagonal guide ribs adapted to guide a key into the respective chamber, a cap for closing each aperture, which cap conforms in shape to the exterior contour of said body so as to make the exterior of said body entirely smooth and free of protrusions, said cap having a groove on the inner side thereof adapted to receive the head of a key, means for retaining said key in said groove, protruding lips on the said cap adapted to be received in said aperture to frictionally'engage said cap therein.

4. In a key carrying case, a body formed in layers, each layer being partitioned into chambers, each chamber having a diagonally disposed guide rib located centrally thereof and laterally spaced from the sides of the chamber to guide a key into the chamber and adaptingthe chamber to accommodate keys of varying length, each chamber having an aperture at one end thereof,

a cap for each aperture, said cap being grooved at the inner edge thereof and adapted to receive the head at akey in said groove, means for securing said key in said groove, and means for frictionally engaging each cap in its respective aperture.

5. In a key carrying case a body, a plurality of superposed chambers in said body, each of said chambers having. opposite end. openings, an internal guide rib in each of said chambers positioned diagonally thereof and defining separate key receiving portions disposed to receive the shanks of keys in overlapping relation in said chamber,

a cap for each of said apertures, means for securing the head of a key insaid cap and protruding lips on said cap positioned to fricti'cnally engage said body within said aperture- 6-. Ina key container, a body having av plurality of superposed chambers, each of said chambers defining opposed key receiving portions open. to the exterior of. said body; a caphaving a width substantially equal tothe thickness of said body adapted to close each of: said key receiving portions, means onsaid cap adaptedtoreceive the head of a key, and resilient means on said cap adapted to engagesaid body Within said; key receiyi'ng portion to retain said hey therein.

EARL K. LONGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,493,583 Hanna May 13,1924 1,642,791 Skorepa Sept. 20; 192*? 2,133,789 Pool Oct. 18,1938 2,216,467 Falk Oct. 13.1940: 2,387,319 Evans Oct. 23,.1945 

